Talkin Shop with Coach Ballgame, Chop, and Flikke

Latest Episodes:

REPLAY | My Kid is Afraid of the BALL Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

The boys answer your questions. How do we make youth baseball and softball culture more fun? How can you create more movement when practices get slow and boring? My kid is afraid of the ball...what do I do? These are just some of the topics we hit today.Wanna support the POD? www.patreon.com/chopandballgameWarstic Promo Code: Attaboy15Tanner Tees Promo Code: Attaboy

REPLAY | What Made Mookie Betts… Mookie Betts Mar 31, 2026

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Replaying this GEM, because who doesn't love Mookie Betts? He is one of the biggest names in professional sports. From his Mom being his first Little League Coach, to his daughter teaching him how to catch fly balls, we unpack how this bowling phenom from Tennessee became an MVP and 2 time World Series Champ. Above all, we learned that he's a man of character. He works at it. He's got this contagious light about him, and it shines through when he plays and when he speaks. Listen to the pod, and you'll find out where it stems from.

TALKIN SHOP | FULL EP 138 | Nerves, Nepotism, and the WBC: Keeping the Game Honest Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

The boys are back in the shop breaking down the energy, emotion, and lessons from the World Baseball Classic — and why even the pros feel those in-game nerves. From packed stadium pressure to youth league dugouts, the feeling is the same… your heart races, your mind speeds up, and the moment gets big. So how do you steady yourself — or help your players do the same?

Then we tackle a topic every parent and coach has seen but few want to name: "Daddy Ball." What happens when playing time feels personal, trust starts to slip, and team culture takes a hit? More importantly — how can coaches lead with fairness and clarity, and how can parents respond without making things worse?

This episode is about keeping competition healthy, kids confident, and the game fun — whether you're coaching Team USA or a Tuesday night rec team.

TALKIN SHOP | FULL EP 137 | Don’t Chase the Travel Ball Dream (Until You Hear This) Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Chop shares about his new role as an Assistant Coach with the Rangers and the perspective it’s given him on development and patience in the game.We also talk about something youth sports desperately needs more of — learning how to find joy in other people’s success.And of course… the question every parent asks this time of year:Do you actually have to play travel ball? ⚾️

TALKIN SHOP | FULL EP 136 | Calm the Chaos: Nerves, Neurodiversity & Navigating Tough Conversations Mar 10, 2026

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Every season brings pressure: for kids, coaches, and parents alike.

In this episode of Talkin’ Shop, we dive into how to help young athletes overcome nerves and perform with confidence, how coaches can better understand and support neurodiverse players, and how to communicate clearly (and calmly) with the well-meaning but ever-present helicopter parent.

Because great coaching isn’t just about skills and lineups, it’s about creating environments where every kid feels safe, seen, and able to grow. Practical advice, real stories, and tools you can use at your very next practice. ⚾🎙️

REPLAY | The New Season Needs Our Pillars of Coaching Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

Just Chop & Ballgame today… choppin’ it up about the stuff that actually shapes athletes.We talk managing anxiety, keeping kids engaged when attention drifts, understanding the gap between feel vs. real, learning to fall in love with the grind, and how to respond when the game (or life) doesn’t go your way.Because coaching isn’t just teaching skills... it’s helping kids handle pressure, setbacks, and growth with confidence.These are the pillars that build ballplayers… and better humans🎙️⚾️

REPLAY | Coach Allie "Gator" Lacey Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

The Girls Lead in all things Coach Ballgame Inc. joins the show today to give her perspective on Girls Baseball and Softball! It's Coach Allie Gator!We answer your questions, and Coach Flikke has a MAJOR announcement.Want some discounts?Warstic: "Attaboy15"ThrowMo: "Attaboy"Sqairz: "Attaboy10"BANG!

TALKIN' SHOP | EPISODE 135 | Spring Ball Vibes: Postgame Talks, Loud Bleachers, and Keeping Kids Loose Feb 17, 2026

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Spring baseball and softball hit different. The games feel bigger, the emotions run hotter, and suddenly everything feels… intense.

We talk about when postgame speeches help (and when they should probably be skipped), how to deal with the loud energy coming from the bleachers, and why spring ball so often feels like it’s already the playoffs. More importantly, we dig into how coaches and parents can slow things down, reset the tone, and keep kids playing free instead of tight.

If your season already feels louder or heavier than it should, this episode is a good exhale.

TALKIN' SHOP | EPISODE 134 | Protect the Joy, Set the Tone, Be You Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

This Talkin’ Shop episode hits the heart of youth sports culture.We start with real advice for umpires navigating unruly parents... how to hold the line, protect the game, and keep your humanity intact. Then we zoom out to a simple truth we can’t afford to forget: joy should be the most important thing at every age level, not stats, not rankings, not noise from the stands.We close with a reminder for coaches, parents, and officials alike: be you. Authentic leadership, calm confidence, and consistency matter more than volume or bravado.Call the game. Guard the joy. Lead as yourself. 🎙️⚾

TALKIN' SHOP | EPISODE 133 | Behind the Scenes of a Healthy Little League Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

This episode of Talkin’ Shop is for the people who keep youth sports running, often quietly, and often under pressure.We start with straight-up advice for Little League Presidents trying to balance parents, coaches, culture, and chaos. Then we talk to the parents on the fence about coaching... what matters more than experience, and why saying yes might change everything for your kid.We finish by spotlighting one of the most underrated roles in youth sports: the great Team Mom. What actually makes someone great in that role—and how support, organization, and tone can shape an entire season.Leadership. Courage. Culture.The stuff that actually builds better teams.

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